Annual Parish Meeting 2016 Minutes

PRESENT: Cllrs.M.Knowles (Chair), R.Smith, D.Thompson, G.Dyson, Mrs.M.Wright, N.Wright, C.Goodwin, Mrs.S.Goodwin, R.Beckley and the Clerk.
Also present were B.Hannah (NCC) and 15 members of the public.

1. CHAIRMANS WELCOME & APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
The Chair welcomed everybody to the meeting and received apologies from Councillors M.Church and M.Roffe. Apologies were also received from PCSO.Slade.

2. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 8th APRIL, 2015.
The minutes were accepted as a true record.

3. CHAIRMANS ANNUAL REPORT
A full copy of the Chairman’s Annual Report can be seen on the PC Website and in the APM Book.
M.Knowles spoke on the following :- (a) thanked councillors and the clerk for their work during the past year (b) the precept had remained similar to last year (c) BRPC compared well with other parish councils regarding spending (d) the annual accounts will be published soon (e) the PC is aware of the lovely environment we live in and organises litter picks, road sign cleaning, and grass cutting (f) arrangements were in hand for celebrating the 800th anniversary of the Priory – 6/8/16. (g) commemorative medals for the young people of the parish to celebrate the Queens birthday (h) a vehicle activated sign to help reduce speeding in the parish had been installed (i) the PC was hoping for more progress on affordable housing (j) reminded people of the small recreation area called Daisy Green that had been purchased; picnic table and bench seats available (k) the PC continued to monitor footpaths.

4. PARISH MATTERS (members of the public questions & comments)
(a) 800th Anniversary of The Priory:
S.Pegg from Abbey Farm spoke of the arrangements being made re celebrating this anniversary which would include a church service, taken by the Bishop of Norwich, and events with a medieval theme. It would take place over the weekend of 6th & 7th August, 2016.
(b) Parochial Church Council fund raising:
A member of the PCC spoke of the appeal for improving amenities at the church.
(c) Britons Lane problems:
A parishioner referred to the dangers associated with driving in Britons Lane with potholes, restricted widths, and hedges encroaching over the highway. The Chair summarised the position which had seen Britons Lane discussed virtually from the time that the parish council was formed in the 1950s. It was completely inadequate for the traffic of today. RB stated that heavy lorries, using the stonepits, may in the future access the site direct from the A148 if the planned expansion went ahead.
(d) Grit Bin – Regis Avenue:
The bin had been moved from its position; Clerk to investigate and deal with.
(e) Requests for donations received by the PC:
The Clerk referred the meeting to letters asking for financial assistance from organisations during the past year (Norfolk Hospice, East Anglian Childrens Hospice, MAGPAS, and Mid-Norfolk CAB). The meeting agreed not to donate PC monies.
(f) Hooke & Unknown Donor Charity:
RB gave a brief report and update regarding this local charity and asked the meeting to let him know of anybody experiencing real financial hardship who might be helped by the Hooke Charity.

5. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT
M.Knowles (NNDC) reported on the following :- (a) the enjoyment from carrying out his duties as a District Councillor (b) Shared Services; NNDC now sharing three chief officers with Gt.Yarmouth Borough Council (c) Devolution; Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambs County Councils discussing amalgamating to one authority (d) a Boundary Review was to be carried out looking at the numbers of councillors and the number of
people they represent (reorganisation of wards) (e) the 2014-15 accounts had been approved showing a surplus of approx £366k.(f) a remuneration panel had reviewed councillors allowances and brought them into line with other Norfolk authorities
(g) NNDC was now going ahead with the compulsory purchase of certain properties.

6. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT
B.Hannah (NCC) reported on the following :- (a) another difficult year for Norfolk County Council when fixing its budget; the public consultation had given a positive response regarding the need to raise the NCC element of the council tax. (b) reported the good work of CCTV cameras in the area (c) work as a representative trustee on the NTR Trust (d) work of the Museums Committee including a new exhibition of Olive Edis photographs (e) work of the Police & Crime Panel; HM Inspectors of Constabulary had rated Norfolk’s performance as good and outstanding (f) as a Sheringham High School Governor he was pleased to report that results for the school were above the national average (g) the subject of parking meters for Sheringham had been withdrawn (h) reminded the meeting of the Priory celebrations (i) work as the NCC Child Poverty Champion (i) progress of the Northern Distributor Route.

7. POLICE REPORT: Via email it was reported that the parish is relatively crime free with only 19 recorded crimes in the whole year

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
RB proposed a vote of thanks to the Chair. The meeting closed at 8pm